Robert E. Lee was a confederate general, and in June 1862, he launched a series of attacks on McClellan's fort and was later known as the Seven's Day Battle. These attacks forced the union to retreat. As the union retreated Lee marched his troops forward to another battle at Bull Run. This battle gave the south another victory forcing the union to again retreat and this allowed the south to be only 20 miles from Washington D.C. Lee believed that an invasion into the north would convince them of the south's independence. They also believed that a battle in the north would gain the south recognition with Britain, and help Peace Democrats gain control in the upcoming elections. During this time Lee also was able to march through Northern Virginia and draw more troops from that area.
The war in the East
Robert E. Lee was a confederate general, and in June 1862, he launched a series of attacks on McClellan's fort and was later known as the Seven's Day Battle. These attacks forced the union to retreat. As the union retreated Lee marched his troops forward to another battle at Bull Run. This battle gave the south another victory forcing the union to again retreat and this allowed the south to be only 20 miles from Washington D.C. Lee believed that an invasion into the north would convince them of the south's independence. They also believed that a battle in the north would gain the south recognition with Britain, and help Peace Democrats gain control in the upcoming elections. During this time Lee also was able to march through Northern Virginia and draw more troops from that area.